Biggest Names On Arsenal's Transfer Wish List
The January transfer window is finally here. For Gunners supporters, that means a chance for Arsene Wenger to bring in a few players that can help his team compete in the top-four. It's been a disappointing season to date, with the Gunners' roster—one of the league's best, on paper—simply failing to live up to expectations, though the club remains in contention. With both Chelsea and Man City looking slightly more vulnerable lately, however, a few key additions could make things interesting. Here are several names coming up in early transfer rumours.
Moussa Sissoko
We'll start with Sissoko, as he has been linked to Arsenal the longest. He also may be the least likely on this list to actually end up in London. The talented midfielder is having an excellent season for a surprisingly strong Newcastle club. Also, with Jack Wilshere still out for some time due to his latest injury, Sissoko appears to be a potentially great fit. Rumours of a transfer to the Gunners have been fairly constant for several weeks, but they took a hit in the last day or so when Sissoko himself dismissed the notion. He was quoted in the Daily Star as saying he's very happy with his role at Newcastle and would reject a move to Arsenal. Given the aforementioned great fit with Arsenal, one wonders if he may be coaxed into the idea.
William Carvalho
Carvalho may just be a dream come true for Arsenal supporters. While the club hasn't quite scored at the rate many expected, a lack of stability in defense and midfield remains the biggest issue. Signing Carvalho would help immensely. At just 22, the young defensive midfielder has shown star potential at Sporting Lisbon, and his relatively manageable transfer fee (rumoured to be about £25.5 million) seems fair. As Metro's analysis pointed out, Carvalho won't necessarily come in and help the Gunners win the league this season, but his signing would be sensible. Carvalho fills a need, injects some young talent, and could represent one of the most strategic Arsenal signings in recent years.
Edinson Cavani
PSG striker and Uruguayan star Edinson Cavani is the biggest name on Arsenal's transfer rumour list, and certainly an exciting possibility. Telegraph recently reported that Arsenal is indeed moving closer to signing Cavani. But one wonders if the estimated fee (roughly £50 million) may be better spent elsewhere. Cavani would arrive in London as arguably the Gunners' best player, and yet the sensational scoring punch he provides isn't the biggest need.
Heading into the recent win against West Ham, a Betbright preview suggested that the Gunners may lose in part due to Olivier Giroud's suspension. Not only was this not much of an issue on the field, but Arsenal may have saved its season with a win at West Ham behind goals from Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski. Contributions like these from supporting players on top of the sensational play of Alexis Sanchez and the (hopefully) coming emergence of Danny Welbeck should keep the Gunners scoring just enough. Although, as long as he's not the only move, Cavani would turn the offense from good enough into potentially stellar.
Mats Hummels
This one has a long way to go, but if anything comes to fruition, Arsenal will get exactly the player it needs. The Borussia Dortmund captain and centre-back could provide just the kind of confident, commanding touch in the back that the Gunners have been lacking—and according to Express, Hummels is ready to try the EPL. Dortmund's surprisingly bad form in the Bundesliga has apparently frustrated Hummels, and with both Man Utd. and Arsenal pursuing his services, he could soon be playing in England. He won't come cheap, but he'd be a wonderful addition for Arsene Wenger.
That about rounds out the most significant transfer rumours at this stage. Any one of these players could become a significant upgrade for Arsenal, and two or three could change the complexion of the team.
